Pre 2017 Draft Press Conference

dspbuckle

All-Star
Owner Mark Davis takes the stage

*the audience is quiet with respect*
Mark Davis approaches the podium

Mark Davis: Good morning everyone. Please help me in welcoming the men who make are leading us back to greatness; General Manager Reggie Mackenzie and Head Coach Jack Del Rio.

*applause and thunderous claps ring out through the halls as the two men approach the stage*
Everyone takes a seat

mckenziedelriodavis.jpg

Del Rio: Now that's an entrance. Thank you Raider Nation for your continued support.

Reggie: You all sure know how to make work fun.

Davis: We don't have much time. We are boarding and heading to the draft in a few hours so we can prep our war room, but we wanted to take a few questions for the local press.

Reporter 1 - Freddie D: Yes, Reggie you have the second pick this year. Are the rumors that you plan to trade it for future picks true?

Reggie: Whoa cowboy. Those are items the team as a whole has decided not to discuss. You will have to wait and see how this all turns out. What I will say is that we have a focus in the upcoming draft that is obvious. Our team had the best ranked defense last year but our offense came up short. Derek Carr made some rough decisions out there early on but as the season progressed he really started to pick it up. We want to give him enough time to make better decisions. That is all I can say about...

*coach del rio interrupts*

Del Rio: Every quarter back has their ups and downs. Derek had a rough start but while we are on the subject, I want to say that Conner Cook is a Raider and a great young man to have backing up Derek along with Matt [McGloin].

Reporter 2 - Jacking K - Mr. Davis, with the league's recent vote to support San Diego and the upcoming ballot determining funding a new site down there, what is going on with the Oakland Coliseum

Davis: We are where we want to be, but we aren't playing where we want to play. With that said, the Coliseum will do for now but we are hoping the City of Oakland can reach an agreement with us soon. I do not wish to speculate any further. We are here pre-draft, so let's focus.

Reporter 3 - Fernando Vitto - Coach Del Rio, that last game of the season against Denver was incredible. Your defense held them down to 10 points, you recovered two fumbles, a safety and a pick. Do you think giving Derek more time with what I assume are offensive line picks will help you win more games?

Del Rio: Our neighbors across the water have the first pick so we don't wish to speculate on what we may or may not be drafting. To give you a type of answer I will at least say that we have a great receiving core but we want to try and get Latavius [Murray] more involved. Our long time Vet Taiwan Jones and Marcel [Reece] really helped him out there but Murray is our #1. We need to feed him the ball more.

Reporter 3 Fernando Vitto - Reece wasn't resigned. What does that entail for your younger backs, Washington and Richard and possibly Atkins III?

Del Rio: Losing Reece was a tough decision. We really wanted to keep him but Olewale is capable of blocking for us when we need him to and not to say that this is all about money, but his premium isn't as high. Our team is young, but we have to be able to retain our players in the next few years when all their contracts mature. As for the other backs, we will find out at training camp who will be best fit to backup Murray, including Taiwan.

Reporter 2 - Jackie K - Reggie, is Jack hinting that you will be drafting another running back? I don't quite follow.

Reggie: We are not speculating at anything. What is known is that we are the #2 pick and we are in need of a few key players. We could really use another kicker. Sebastian will be very hard to replace.

Reporter 1 - Freddie D: *chuckls* So you're taking another kicker, at #2?

Davis: I feel you're mocking the legacy of my father. A lot of people thought he was crazy but Janikowski turned out to be a great kicker for many years. He is a legend and will surely join the Hall of Fame with his peers. Vineterri, Gostowski, the great ones of the last decade. I don't think a kicker who is good enough to be a first round pick is crazy at all. I also don't appreciate your attitude. This wraps up our conference. Please help yourself to the cheese platter in the lobby. We will see you all on Sunday.

The men exit the room. Freddie D is escorted out the building. The other reporters eat cheese.

 
Last edited:
Top